When I'm developing (outside of lecturing), I use the mornings each day to check my emails and figure out what my focus should be that day. Then I spend a few hours programming and familiarizing myself with where I am in the code. I use lunch to talk to my peers about what we're all working on. Then I spend the afternoon and early evening buckling down on programming, testing codes, and coming up with solutions.
CAREER
Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Overview
Salary Median (2020)
$77,910
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)
+7.2% (as fast as the average)
Career
Roadtrip Nation Leaders in This Career
What Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary Do
Teach courses in computer science. May specialize in a field of computer science, such as the design and function of computers or operations and research analysis. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Other Job Titles Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary May Have
Computer Information Systems Instructor (CIS Instructor), Computer Science Professor, Instructor, Professor
How Leaders Describe a Typical Day at Work
I get to my office and go through email to see if there are any "must answer now" messages. I look particularly for email from students who might need a quick response. I make sure I connect to anyone I haven't met before, so that unsolicited email from people is answered more quickly than email from those down the hall. I think about what I'll be teaching in my next class and whether I have to develop anything for that. I make sure I have room to read new stuff online.
Tasks & Responsibilities May Include
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations or assign this work to others.
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as programming, data structures, and software design.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.
- Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
Education
Level of Education Attained by Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Most common level of education among people in
this career: Master's degree (47%)
Master's degree
Doctoral degree
Bachelor's degree
Majors Related to Career
Educational Paths Suggested by Leaders
Suggested Path
Bachelor
Condensed Matter and Materials Physics
Graduate
Teaching French as a Second or Foreign Language
Suggested Path
High School
Bachelor
Design and Visual Communications, General
Additional Skills & Experiences That Can Help You Excel
Many people don't realize that creativity is a huge part of computer science. Some of the best tools and programs come from crazy, creative ideas. It's also important to be able to communicate with people outside of the field. Computer science is about creating solutions for problems people face. You won't know what problems you need to solve if you aren't able to get out there and talk to people.
Practice listening and helping groups come to a consensus. It's hard to work by yourself, get used to collaborating and working on common goals with others.
Getting Started
Recommended First Step for:
High School Students
Push yourself to go further than you think you can. Value reading and do that widely, don't think that what you're doing now makes a difference in terms of what you study --- but how you study and what you do outside of school makes a huge difference. Get better at talking in groups, pay attention to what those around you are doing and saying.
College Students
Everyone
This page includes information from theO*NET 26.1 Databaseby the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under theCC BY 4.0license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
